Drone technology has had a tremendous impact on how business around the world is done. From reshaping the construction industry to doing powerline inspections with LiDAR, forest surveys, solar farm inspections, and more. This progress has made work easier, faster, cheaper, and better in many ways. With the good things drones bring, drones need to be used responsibly. This is where Remote ID comes into play. The main purpose of it is to increase the safety and accountability of drone operations. It also allows anyone with a mobile phone to use an app to check what drones are flying in the area. Authorities can access more information, such as the drone pilot's name, etc.
What is Remote identification for drones, and how does it work?
Think of Remote ID as a digital license plate for drones that shares its identity and where it is in real-time. This helps make flying drones safer when sharing the sky and ensures drone users follow the rules.
Remote ID is either already built into the drone or is added to the drone by a separate Remote ID module. Either way, when equipped with Remote ID, the drone is expected to broadcast the following information:
Drone ID (Remote ID compliant serial number)
Drone location and altitude
Velocity
Control station (operator) location and elevation
Time mark
Emergency status
Remote ID as a digital license plate
Which drones are required to comply with Remote ID regulations?
For drone users, all drones weighing 250 grams or more (above 0.55 pounds) need to be registered and comply with Remote ID requirements. Drones weighing less do not need to be registered or comply with Remote ID as long as they are used for recreational purposes.
However - if any of these smaller drones are used for commercial purposes, they must also be registered and comply with Remote ID.
All drones over 250 grams must comply with Remote ID regulations
From what date is Remote ID required?
In the U.S., drone pilots were expected to comply with FAA policy on Remote ID starting September 16, 2023. However, it is to be enforced starting from March 16, 2024. This means that from March 16, 2024, drones operating within United States airspace need to be Remote ID compliant. (source: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id)
If your drone comes with Remote-ID marking, you may just need to update its firmware to make it Remote-ID compatible.
If your drone does not come with Remote-ID marking, you will need to equip it with a Remote-ID compatible module. A list of compatible modules can be found on the FAA site.
Conclusion
While the enforcement of Remote ID will still take some time, Remote ID will be an important change in drone operations in 2024. The overall benefit it brings is higher security and transparency of drone operations, allowing society members and authorities to keep track of drones flying in the airspace near them and to make drone operations more transparent.
In the next article, we will cover more details on the upcoming changes in UgCS related to Remote ID.
Written by Kristaps Brass
Kristaps Brass is an Engineer and Product Owner of UgCS at SPH Engineering. During the last decade at SPH Engineering, as an experienced drone pilot, Kristaps has collected countless flight hours. He has done customer training around the world and participated in an expedition to Greenland in 2019. Kristaps is leading the team behind UgCS flight planning software, helping drone pilots transform their operations around the globe.
For drone users, all drones weighing 250 grams or more (above 0.55 pounds) need to be registered and comply with Remote ID requirements. Drones weighing less do not need to be registered or comply with Remote ID as long as they are used for recreational purposes.
Pilots operating a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module must be able to see their drone at all times during flight. Fly within a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). A FRIA is a defined geographic area where drones can be flown if they don't have Remote ID equipment.
Drones that weigh less than .55 pounds AND will be flown only for recreational purposes do not have to comply with Remote ID requirements. If you fly ONLY in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) you do not have to comply with Remote ID requirements.
Now, a big part of the new era of drone regulation is about to take effect in the United States: Remote Identification (Remote ID). Remote ID creates a common and consistent way for authorities to monitor airborne drones and identify who is flying them.
For drone users, all drones weighing 250 grams or more (above 0.55 pounds) need to be registered and comply with Remote ID requirements. Drones weighing less do not need to be registered or comply with Remote ID as long as they are used for recreational purposes.
Failure to register an unmanned aircraft that is required to be registered may result in regulatory and criminal penalties. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations. Drones registered under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations cannot be flown under Part 107.
What happens if I don't comply with the Remote ID Rule by March 16, 2024? After this date, non-compliance could result in hefty fines or even suspension or revocation of pilot certificates.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are responsible for regulating the use of drones in the US and EU. Both have established a regulatory framework for Remote ID that requires most drones operating in the regions to be equipped with a Remote ID system by a specific date.
Drone Scanner is designed to turn a phone or tablet into a drone scanner and track all the nearby flights over direct/broadcast Remote ID standards. Users can browse real-time data about drones on a detailed map highlighting specific flying space zones. The Drone Scanner is available to download for free.
An operator ID is separate to a flyer ID in the sense that anybody who is responsible for a drone or model aircraft must register as an operator. Once you have registered, you will get an operator ID with your certificate of registration. You must display your operator ID on your drones and model aircraft.
The operator is the person responsible for managing a drone or model aircraft. This means they're responsible for things like maintaining it and making sure that anyone who flies it has a flyer ID. You must be 18 or over to get an operator ID.
In order to fly your drone under the FAA 's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA . This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.
In September 2023, the FAA issued a policy for exercising discretion in determining whether to take enforcement action for drone operators who were not able to comply with the Remote ID rule. That policy ends on March 16, 2024.
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